March 21 may be the official first day of spring, but I consider spring to commence when the deciduous tree leaves first begin appearing. These emerging leaves feed the “inch worms” and other insects that fill crops of the multitude of songbirds that drop into the trees at daybreak to feed. This is the best time frame of the year to record the most birds.

What am I referring to? With the best conditions in place, it is not impossible for a knowledgeable birder to identify almost 100 different species in a five- or six-hour morning outing. My records indicate that my “best days” have been in early May. My yearly bird list might contain 90 species by May 1, but in those magical May days, it jumps quickly to about 180.

Unfortunately though, after late May, almost all the migrating songbirds have moved through our area and are on their way to Canada to nest there. The weather factors need to fall in place, but in that peak May period, the trees and understory will reveal almost every warbler, vireo and flycatcher species you could expect to see here. (All in a two- or three-day period.)

These 5- to 7-inch birds, after migrating in darkness, now need to feed. Daylight gives them the chance to fuel up so they can again resume their flights that evening. The window of opportunity is small, so here are some suggestions.

Absent from our region since probably late August or September, look for the following birds in lower vegetation: catbirds, towhees, wood thrushes and white-crowned sparrows.

Look higher, near the tree tops, and hopefully you’ll see Baltimore orioles, scarlet tanagers, red-eyed vireos and rose-breasted grosbeaks.

If you’re adept with the “binocs” the trees will be full of redstarts, black-throated green, parula and blackburnian warblers.

Finally, if a mountain stream or aquatic area is part of your morning trip, look for yellow warblers, common yellowthroats, Louisiana water thrushes or Philadelphia vireos. I’ll focus on warblers in a future column. If you have a decent field guide on birds, flip to the section on warblers to see the great variety of species.

Reed’s advice: If you seldom “get out there to bird” and only have one morning in your schedule, pick a day between May 10 and 19 and travel to a predominantly deciduous woodlot, preferably with a water source nearby. I like to walk the edge of a field facing the west and watch for movement in the trees. The feeding birds pause a little longer here before flying across the field.

Dave Hawk refers to it as the edge effect. Birding is best during that active morning feeding time. Using your binoculars, you could, in a few hours, log about 75 bird species.

Sooooo, EARLY on a May morning, grab your optics, drive to a forested area, and enjoy nature’s show.

WARNING: an exceptional birding morning could result in an addictive tendency to mark early May on your calendar and have you anticipating it more than your weekends off. ENJOY!

Reminder, hummingbirds, if not already in your backyards, will soon be arriving and searching for a sugar source. Now is the time to have the “hummer” feeders cleaned and resupplied with a sugar water solution in the ratio of four parts water to one part sugar. (No need to buy the colored mixes.)

Which of these nest on the ground? A. ruffed grouse, B. killdeer, C. meadowlark, D. ovenbird, E. all of these.

Last week’s trivia answer: Plants find a method to disperse their seeds, and burdock, beggarticks, and stick tights are no exception. They use us to spread them.

Contact Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com.